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What Are the Symptoms of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?

If you’ve undergone major back or neck surgery in recent weeks, you have most likely experienced residual pain. After all, conventional surgery requires fairly large incisions and removal of a substantial portion of the spinal anatomy. In addition, after spinal fusion, the body will take time to adjust to the new presence of metal or plastic hardware. In short, post-operative pain is normal. Yet, at some point, the pain is supposed to begin to fade. If not – or if it actually begins to get worse as time goes by – you may be suffering from FBSS (failed back surgery syndrome).

Symptoms of FBSS

What are the symptoms of failed back surgery syndrome? The most obvious is persistent chronic pain that is not associated with the healing process. Here are a few of the symptoms, which can all vary in severity:

• New pain at a level different from the location treated
• Inability to recuperate
• Restricted mobility
• Sharp, stabbing back pain
• Numbness or pain radiating through lower back into legs
• Back spasms
• Anxiety, depression, sleeplessness
• Potential dependence on drugs for pain treatment

What to Do if You Suffer From FBSS

If you suspect your back surgery has failed, the first step is to inform your family doctor, as well as the surgeon who performed the procedure. It’s important to precisely follow the post-operation instructions laid out by your medical team, because deviation from the instructions would make it more difficult to diagnose FBSS. Chances are, your doctors will attempt conservative treatment – pain medication, physical therapy, etc. – in an effort to alleviate your chronic post-operative symptoms. If chronic pain persists after several weeks or months of conservative treatment, contact Laser Spine Institute to determine whether a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed using endoscopic technology may be able to help you rediscover your life without back or neck pain.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.